Ann Occup Environ Med.  2017 ;29(1):19. 10.1186/s40557-017-0184-x.

Cases of acute mercury poisoning by mercury vapor exposure during the demolition of a fluorescent lamp factory

• Do SY
• Lee CG
• Kim JY
• Moon YH
• Kim MS
• Bae IH
• Song HS

• KMID: 2454999
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.1186/s40557-017-0184-x

Abstract

BACKGROUND
In 2015, workers dismantling a fluorescent lamp factory in Korea were affected by mercury poisoning from exposure to mercury vapor.
CASE PRESENTATION
Eighteen out of the 21 workers who participated in the demolition project presented with symptoms of poisoning and, of these, 10 had persistent symptoms even at 18 months after the initial exposure to mercury vapor. Early symptoms of 18 workers included a general skin rash, pruritus, myalgia, sleep disturbance, and cough and sputum production. Following alleviation of these initial symptoms, late symptoms, such as easy fatigue, insomnia, bad dreams, and anxiety disorder, began to manifest in 10 out of 18 patients. Seven workers underwent psychiatric care owing to sleep disturbance, anxiety disorder, and depression, and three workers underwent dermatologic treatment for hyperpigmentation, erythematous skin eruption, and chloracne-like skin lesions. Furthermore, three workers developed a coarse jerky movement, two had swan neck deformity of the fingers, and two received care at an anesthesiology clinic for paresthesia, such as burning sensation, cold sensation, and pain. Two workers underwent urologic treatment for dysfunction of the urologic system and impotence. However, symptomatic treatment did not result in satisfactory relief of these symptoms.
CONCLUSION
Awareness of the perils of mercury and prevention of mercury exposure are critical for preventing health hazards caused by mercury vapor. Chelation therapy should be performed promptly following mercury poisoning to minimize damage.

Keyword

Mercury vapor; Elemental mercury; Occupational exposure; Swan neck deformity; Chloroacne; Fluorescent lamp factory; Korea

MeSH Terms

Anesthesiology
Anxiety Disorders
Burns
Chelation Therapy
Congenital Abnormalities
Cough
Depression
Dreams
Erectile Dysfunction
Exanthema
Fatigue
Fingers
Humans
Hyperpigmentation
Korea
Male
Mercury Poisoning*
Myalgia
Neck
Occupational Exposure
Paresthesia
Poisoning
Pruritus
Sensation
Skin
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Sputum